On Sunday, U.S. Coast Guard families came together, enjoyed a generous meal and tried to relax a little in West Haven.
“The last month has been very stressful,” said Amy Williams of North Branford.
Williams’ family was among those affected by the partial government shutdown.
They took part in a special appreciation lunch for Coast Guard workers who had not been paid and their families.
“This has been amazing. This has been unbelievable. The community outreach, the community support just brings tears to your eyes,” said Williams.
The event was hosted and organized by the West Haven Elks Lodge #1537.
“We felt they were still out there working for us and they had trouble putting food on the table and taking care of their own children,” said Mike Southworth, West Haven Elks Lodge #1537.
Local
Southworth tells us after the lunch families could also bring home food and household supplies.
All of it was made possible through the community giving money or donating items.
“We have people stopping us in stores when we were shopping asking us what we were doing and just handing us cash to buy more things while we were in the stores,” said Southworth.
Southworth says just because the shutdown is over the need lingers, with families still having to catch up on bills.
And some are nervous about the deal to open the government.
“We all do think this is just a temporary fix and on the 15th of February we could be in the same situation,” said Williams.
Extra groceries were brought over to the Coast Guard station in New Haven.
That way those who could not make it here would also be taken care of.
